Microsoft has officially unveiled some key new features of its forthcoming operating system. The next-generation OS, which may or may not be called Ã¢â,¬Å"Windows 8Ã¢â,¬Â (its Ã¢â,¬Å"internal code-nameÃ¢â,¬Â), delivers a completely re-imagined user interface, with a heavy emphasis on touch-based functionality that takes a hefty helping of inspiration from the Windows Phone UI.

Since Windows 8 is obviously designed with tablets in mind (but can be used with a standard mouse and keyboard), users switch from application to application by swiping left and right in a similar fashion to mobile phone OSs, like AppleÃ¢â,¬â,,¢s iOS or GoogleÃ¢â,¬â,,¢s Android. Apps included with the OS, like a weather app, a stock ticker app, and a built-in news app, all take advantage of the entire screen. Fortunately, Windows 8 still allows for multitasking, and multiple apps can be viewed simultaneously on the same screen simply by dragging and dropping the app window onto the main screen.

Windows 8 also takes advantage of current web standards, like HTML 5 and JavaScript, and is optimized to work with MicrosoftÃ¢â,¬â,,¢s upcoming web browser, Internet Explorer 10.

Overall, Windows 8 looks like a step in the right direction for Microsoft, as it tries to compete with the touchscreen powerhouse of AppleÃ¢â,¬â,,¢s iPad line and its iOS software. Windows 8 is still far from complete, however, and it is not yet clear when the software will be publicly available, though some guess a fall 2012 time frame. Check back with Digital Trends soon for the latest Windows 8 news.